Before Paris

23 May, 2009 | 12:05

Andy's stint in the UK after Madrid was nothing more than a flying visit; enough time to hit a few balls, do some fitness, and pack.

Andy and Jez spent that first morning doing some strength work out on court; the one adjacent to Jamie as it turned out...

We're not 100% on the science part of the resistance band work, but you'll notice they mirror many of the positions they get their bodies into on a clay court.

So, you have the high hold, out wide...

and you have the low hold, out wide...

It's surface specific conditioning: getting the body used to what lies ahead in the coming fortnight.

To mix things up, they did some clay-specific movement work; specifically, chasing down a load of drop-shots. It seems a good drill to get into a solid rhythm of sliding into the ball.

The pattern below tells the story...

Jez isn't usually called upon as a hitting partner, but he came out of retirement on this occasion.

He hits it pretty well off both wings, and his single-handed backhand is good for a guy who actually doesn't like single-handed backhands.

One day later, and they were all back in. That means tennis-football...

The bluff has moved to another level now; how any of them manage to get the ball back over when they can't see the thing to kick, we don't know....

Miles is still playing his attacking game, although we're not sure what he was trying to do here. it probably didn't work.

With every game of tennis football, there's a forfeit to follow; with every forfeit there's an inquisition to find the loser. That usually means a lot of pointing at marks on the court...

...followed by the loser doing their forfeit.

Here, jez demonstrates that 80's dancefloor favourite, 'the worm.'

Whilst Jez went to report his dignity stolen at lost property, Andy and Ross Hutchins hit some balls.

The doubles players tend to head to Paris much later than the top singles guys; there just aren't the practice courts for them to use. The NTC has played host to the likes of Kevin Ullyett, Wes Moodie and Bob Bryan this week.

Interesting forehand/cheesy grin combo Ross. Couple of things...

Tennis done, Andy hit the gym (again); did chin-ups with a weight belt on, again.

So that's their 48 hours prior to France. Fingers crossed it stands him in good stead...